Summary
Benjamin Franklin's "Rules By Which A Great Empire May Be Reduced To A Small One" argues that specific, deliberate actions can dismantle a large empire into a smaller entity. The essay, presented as a collection within "The Political Thought of Benjamin Franklin," outlines these methods through the lens of practical political thought, tracing Franklin's developing ideas from his early writings to his later contributions on the Constitution.
This work reveals Franklin's analytical approach to governance and empire, offering insights into how policies and decisions can lead to contraction rather than expansion. Readers gain an understanding of Franklin's perspective on the mechanics of political power and the potential for unintended consequences in imperial management, as exemplified by his reflections on significant national changes.
Key concepts
- Practical political thought — Franklin's approach to governance, emphasizing tangible and actionable strategies rather than abstract theory.
- Silence Dogood essays — Early writings by Franklin that contributed to his developing political commentary.
- The Evils of the Slave Trade — Franklin's later writings addressing moral and political issues, indicating a progression in his thought.
- The Constitution — Franklin's involvement and writings concerning the foundational document of American governance.
From the book
Description: Too often dismissed as the least philosophic of the Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin had a deep and lasting impact on the shape of American political thought. In this substantial collection of Franklin's letters, essays, and lesser-known papers, Ralph Ketcham traces the development of Franklin's practical-and distinctly American-political thought from his earliest Silence Dogood essays to his final writings on the Constitution and The Evils of the Slave Trade.
Snippet: Benjamin <b>Franklin</b> Ralph Ketcham. of this Nation . In this State of things ... <b>may</b> work a Change in Minds and Measures ; but otherwise such <b>great</b> Alterations are hardly to be look'd for . <b>RULES BY WHICH A GREAT EMPIRE MAY BE REDUCED TO A SMALL</b> ...